On the Campaign Trail

By Glenn Choolokian

JULY 28, 2015

There is no experience that prepares you better when you are running for political office than going door to door during the long campaign season. .

The campaign trail isn’t meant to be a simple game of math, where we figure out the best strategy to gather up enough votes to victory. That is what the trail has become to too many, and it’s what’s wrong with politics of today.

The campaign trail is meant to be an experience where a public servant, like myself, is tested and challenged through many contacts with voters at their doorsteps, at events, and even in daily life. The campaign trail should be used as an experience to really learn about your community, and how it is today and what is happening right now. You can only learn that by walking the streets and meeting the voters, face-to-face.

My campaign trail has taken me all over the city; I have walked and will continue to walk throughout every area and neighborhood in Niagara Falls, with my aggressive door-knocking strategy it has allowed me to personally knock on over 3,000 doors in our community, so far. I will continue to walk throughout my campaign, and hopefully I will cover just about every square inch of Niagara Falls.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank everyone that signed my petition to get me on the ballot, those who asked for a lawn sign, and I am especially humbled by all citizens that said I have earned their vote already.

My campaign for mayor has been about bringing people together for a stronger community and a better future for Niagara Falls. As you may know, I have been actively talking about creating change in our city. I believe there are workable solutions available that will enhance our community as a whole, but before I can serve, I must conduct a very aggressive campaign to be successful in this endeavour.

Recent elections have been marred by massive amounts of negative and false information, over the next two months, Niagara Falls voters can expect more negative ads, more negative phone calls, and more negative mailers, all with more reasons why they shouldn't support one candidate, and that candidate will be me Glenn A. Choolokian. These negative mailers, phone calls and ads will not only come from the Democratic Party but also from the Republican Party. Why? Because both parties know they cannot control me, nor can they buy me for political favors.

Niagara Falls residents: Take your city back from these special interest groups and the city officials beholden to them, now, before it is too late.

There's no mystery why we're drowning in spending. Out of town groups and their armies of lobbyists have cozied up to our public officials to shove their special interest projects down our throats, while regular citizens remain voiceless and powerless.

Our city leaders are happy to bend over backward for these groups and throw residents under the bus. To stop this, it will take a very strong and dedicated leader to step forward with a vision to help restore the once great heritage of the City of Niagara Falls, and that leader is me, Glenn A. Choolokian. I have always said " IT'S SIMPLE: IT SHOULD BE ABOUT OUR FAMILIES," and that should be the top priority of ALL our elected officials.

Niagara Falls is an awesome community with great people. I have met people from all walks of life on nearly every street in the city. We have great people here that still care about what happens to our city, and they want new ideas and a fresh energy. They are tired of the status quo. They want change. That is why I’m passionate about bringing change to Niagara Falls. It is what the people want.

I think strong mayoral leadership can make a difference in this community.

I think a mayor with the right kind of vision and energy can make a difference in this community, and I know a mayor who has a plan for the future will make a difference.

Finally, I have learned so many things about myself and about this community on my campaign trail. I have been blessed with the support of my family, friends, and hundreds of volunteers and donors. I am honestly humbled by the support, and I will work tirelessly to validate this support if given the chance to be your next Mayor.

As always, if you have questions about me or my campaign, please feel free to call me @ (716) 579-0294, send me an email at nfmayor@gmail.com, or contact me on my website at www.your-next-mayor.com

And of course, if your lawn looks empty, let me know and I’ll put a sign or two there.